Realme Buds Air8 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Realme Buds Air8 Pro comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Realme Buds Air8 Pro - Outstanding overall at around $74.

True Wireless

Realme Buds Air8 Pro

84Outstanding

$74

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Realme Buds Air8 Pro leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Realme Buds Air8 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8

HearWiki score

Sound

8.4

7.3

Noise cancelling

8.4

7.4

Battery

7.2

8.7

Calls

8.5

7.5

Value

9.2

9.1

Price (USD)

$74

$39

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Both shipped in 2026. The Realme Buds Air8 Pro is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.1 against 5.4 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Wear detection, Custom EQ, Companion app and Water resistance IP55 against IP54.

Buds Air8 Pro2026
Redmi Buds 82026

What differsBuds Air8 ProRedmi Buds 8

Bluetooth: 6.1; 5.4
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Wear detection: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Companion app: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP55; IP54

Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C.

Specifications

Buds Air8 ProRedmi Buds 8

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $74; $39
HearWiki score: 84; 78
Released: 2026; 2026
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 2-driver hybrid; 11 mm dynamic
Driver type: hybrid; dynamic
Driver size: 11 mm; 11 mm
Drivers per side: 2; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Bluetooth: 6.1; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC, LHDC; SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: 45 ms; -
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 12 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: 50 h; 44 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 90 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 11 h; -
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: -; No
Companion app: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: Yes; No
Controls: touch; none
Voice assistant: -; No
Weight: 4.8 g; 5 g
Case weight: 53 g; 44.5 g
Water resistance: IP55; IP54
Foldable: -; No
Detachable cable: -; No
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: -; foam
Connector: -; USB-C
Balanced connection: -; No
Microphones: 6; 6
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; 0 dBV
Call noise reduction: Yes; No
Call NR technology: AI ENC; -

Specification comparison of Realme Buds Air8 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8
Spec	Realme Buds Air8 Pro	Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$74	$39
HearWiki score	84 / 100 Outstanding	78 / 100 Great
Released	2026	2026
Audio
Driver	2-driver hybrid	11 mm dynamic
Driver type	hybrid	dynamic
Driver size	11 mm	11 mm
Drivers per side	2	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Wireless
Bluetooth	6.1	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC, LHDC	SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	45 ms	-
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	12 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	50 h	44 h
Full charge time	120 min	90 min
Quick charge	10 min → 11 h	-
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	-	No
Companion app	Yes	No
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	Yes	No
Controls	touch	none
Voice assistant	-	No
Design
Weight	4.8 g	5 g
Case weight	53 g	44.5 g
Water resistance	IP55	IP54
Foldable	-	No
Detachable cable	-	No
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	-	foam
Connector	-	USB-C
Balanced connection	-	No
Calls
Microphones	6	6
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	0 dBV
Call noise reduction	Yes	No
Call NR technology	AI ENC	-

What reviewers said

Realme Buds Air8 Pro

The Realme Buds Air8 Pro are feature-rich wireless earbuds that deliver strong adaptive noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a versatile hybrid driver setup for under $100. They offer a long 12-hour battery per charge, Bluetooth 6.1 with triple-device multipoint, and IP55 water resistance, making them a solid everyday choice. Sound tuning requires some adjustment to get the best performance, but the overall package is impressive for the price.

Pro:Strong adaptive ANC and usable transparency mode
Pro:Long 12-hour battery life with 50 hours total via case
Pro:Triple-device multipoint connectivity

Con:Sound tuning needs effort to optimize
Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Battery life per charge may vary depending on usage

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8

The Redmi Buds 8 deliver solid value in the budget TWS segment, pairing hybrid ANC and multipoint connectivity with an impressive 44-hour total battery life. While sound quality and noise cancellation are competent rather than class-leading, the comfortable fit, six-microphone call setup, and IP54 rating make them a well-rounded pick for feature-focused buyers on a tight budget. The inclusion of LHDC support adds flexibility for compatible devices, though the lack of wireless charging and an on-ear control scheme may require some adjustment.

Pro:Long battery life with case (44 hours)
Pro:Hybrid ANC and multipoint for the price
Pro:IP54 water resistance for daily use

Con:Sound and ANC are good, not exceptional
Con:No wireless charging or transparency mode
Con:No physical or touch controls on earbuds

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Realme Buds Air8 Pro Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8